Introduction to Medical Diagnostics

Medical diagnostics are a category of medical tests designed to detect infections, conditions and diseases. These medical diagnostics fall under the category of in vitro medical diagnostics (IVD) which be purchased by consumers or used in laboratory settings. Biological samples are isolated from the human body such as blood or tissue to provide results. Today, AI is playing an integral role in the evolution of the field of medical diagnostics. The medical history of a patient is the most useful and important element in making an accurate diagnosis, much more valuable than either physical examinations or diagnostic tests. Blood analysis, laboratory examination of a sample of blood used to obtain information about its physical and chemical properties. Blood analysis is commonly carried out on a sample of blood drawn from the vein of the arm, the finger, or the earlobe; in some cases, the blood cells of the bone marrow may also be examined. Hundreds of hematological tests and procedures have been developed, and many can be carried out simultaneously on one sample of blood with such instruments as autoanalyzers. Infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, polio, and several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are easily spread through personal contact, water, and air, (many NTDs are vector borne – transmitted by mosquitoes, flies, etc) and are a particularly significant problem in developing countries. Tumor imaging is a clinical and experimental medical technology designed to localize neoplastic lesions in a body using a labeled antibody or its fragment. The idea of localizing antitumor antibodies into human cancer originated in the 1890s with attempts to treat malignant diseases using antisera raised against human tumors in animals. The book deliberates on the quality assurance and quality control strategies of a medical diagnostic laboratory. Special emphasis is made on specific guidelines to design quality manuals for a diagnostic laboratory.